“You want to be a photographer in a tiny mountain town? Are you sure that’s wise, Ethan?”
A small laugh escapes, and I look around the cozy living room of Colt’s apartment. I’ve helped him unpack and settle in. I’ve worked at his kitchen table or on this sofa almost every day while he works at the ranch. Sometimes I join him on trail rides and fishing trips. I still maintainall the ranch media and do my job well, but the most work-related joy I’ve had in years is when I’m combing through photos of a group who gave me permission to document their experience.
Sharing images with those people and hearing their excitement brings me back to the simple time of photographing an old orange in the kitchen fruit bowl.
“Not exactly. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I’m going to ask the ranch if, when my contract is up, they’d consider keeping me on part-time or even commission-based. I’d offer photography to the guests at the ranch. It would be mutually beneficial.”
“It’s risky. What does Colt think of this?”
“I haven’t told him. I don’t want to until I crunch some numbers and see if I can make this work.”
“Your dad will tell you it’s foolish, you know.”
“I know.”
Not because he doesn’t believe in me or care, but because Dad always thinks of financial security and is used to long-distance relationships. I don’t think I’m built like that, though. My parents might be happy living most of their time apart, but I don’t want that. I want late-night talks over pizza and morning coffee with sleep-mussed hair. I want paint nights on random Wednesdays, and I want to live with my entire soul.
I don’t want to mark days on a calendar and count down for my next kiss.
I want it all, every day. If there’s one thing Colt has taught me, it’s that tomorrow is a gift, and you never know when it might vanish. I don’t want to waste a single tomorrow.
“This is what I want, Mom. Colt understands, and I think he wants me here, too.”
“I want you happy, Ethan. If Colt is as good as you say he is, then I support you.”
“Thanks, Mom. Enough about me. Tell me about this Greece adventure and if you’ll end up going.”
My mom chatters away, explaining the logistics of it all, and I can tell it excites her. This is her life and what she loves, but it’s definitely not mine. I want a place to call home. A comfortable place I’ll always have to seek shelter in. Not a phone call, but a physical place. With a person.
Colt is my home.
Now I just need to make it happen.
Colt holdsthe door open at the Saloon, and I enter ahead of him.
It’s another cheeseburger date night, but this one is different. As we slide into our seats, I glance at the mechanical bull in the corner.
“I’m doing it tonight. I’m riding that bull.”
Colt just smiles like he always does because I’ve said this before and never followed through.
“Uh-huh. Maybe if you say it enough times, you’ll actually do it.”
Laurel, the main server at Saddle Up, arrives and glances between us.
“Is tonight the night? That T-shirt isn’t gonna win itself, you know.”
Colt laughs and orders his usual. “He says tonight is the night, but we’ll see.”
After my usual order of an amazing cheeseburger with provolone and whatever beer they’re promoting tonight, I lean back and study Colt.
“Do you think I’m afraid to ride the bull?”
“Not really. I think you need to build your courage to do it, is all.”
Laurel returns with our beers, and Colt brings his to his lips. I watch his throat bob as he swallows before tasting mine.
“Courage can be a lot of things. Maybe it’s riding a bull, or maybe it’s something a little more life-altering.”
